Physical modeling of sand liquefaction under wave breaking on a vertical wall
Résumé
The wave induced liquefaction at a coastal structure is studied. Experiments in a glass-wall flume filled with a partially saturated bed of light-weight sediment are presented. Single wave loadings are simulated. For large enough wave height conditions an excess pore pressure is recorded within the soil and a liquefaction threshold is reached. Velocity fields obtained from video recordings display large zones of the bed that behave as a fluid. Phases of soil compaction and dilatancy are identified.